Steiner Observer 8x42 specs and field of view
The Observer 8x42 offers 17 mm of eye relief and a 6.6 ft close focus with a 348 ft view. That view is at 69 of 75 in 8x42, under the 393 ft median.
- Field of view
- 348 ftat 1,000 yd
- Eye relief
- 17 mm
- Close focus
- 6.6 ft
- Weight
- 25.3 oz
- Exit pupil
- 5.3 mmcalculated
Why pick it
- 17 mm eye relief, enough for glasses
- Focuses as close as 6.6 ft
- Waterproof
Who the Observer 8x42 suits
If you wear glasses, 17 mm of eye relief is listed. The calculated exit pupil of 5.3 mm suits dusk, and the maker names hunting.
At 25.3 oz it is above the 24.2 oz median, and the narrow 6.6 degree view is among the lowest in its size.
Observer 8x42 is one choice among many, and the top binoculars compared covers the most popular ones. Observer 8x42 is one of 75 models in the 8x42 binoculars comparison.
Observer 8x42 specifications
Observer 8x42 figures as Steiner prints them; rows marked * are calculated from the 8x42 size.
| Magnification | 8x |
|---|---|
| Objective lens | 42 mm |
| Prism type | Roof |
| Field of view | 348 ft at 1,000 yd (116 m at 1,000 m) |
| Angular field of view | 6.6° |
| Apparent field of view | 53° * |
| Eye relief | 17 mm |
| Close focus | 6.6 ft (2 m) |
| Eye spacing range | 56 to 74 mm |
| Weight | 25.3 oz (716 g) |
| Length | 2.6 in (65 mm) |
| Width | 5 in (128 mm) |
| Waterproofing | Yes (IPX4) |
| Exit pupil | 5.3 mm * |
| Twilight factor | 18.3 * |
| Relative brightness | 27.6 * |
* Calculated from the size, not printed by the maker.
Observer 8x42 against other 8x42 binoculars
Observer 8x42 shows 348 ft at 1,000 yd, below the 393 ft median of the 75 8x42 models in the chart. At 25.3 oz it is heavier than the 24.2 oz median for the size.
Observer 8x42 and its nearest rivals
Observer 8x42 next to the 8x42 models closest to it in maker list price, with the best figure in each column in bold.
| Model | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Maker list price | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steiner Observer 8x42 | 348 ft | 17 mm | 6.6 ft | 25.3 oz | 5.3 mm | ||
| ZEISS Terra ED 8x42 | 375 ft | 18 mm | 5.3 ft | 25.6 oz | 5.3 mm | Check price on Amazon | |
| Bushnell H2O 8x42 (roof) | 360 ft | 17 mm | 15 ft | 22.7 oz | 5.3 mm | Check price on Amazon | |
| ZEISS Victory SF 8x42 | 444 ft | 18 mm | 4.9 ft | 27.8 oz | 5.3 mm |
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Other sizes of the Observer
Steiner makes the Observer in 3 sizes; a larger front lens adds brightness and weight, and more magnification narrows the view.
| Model | Size | Field of view | Eye relief | Close focus | Weight | Exit pupil | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steiner Observer 8x42 | 8x42 | 348 ft | 17 mm | 6.6 ft | 25.3 oz | 5.3 mm | |
| Steiner Observer 10x42 | 10x42 | 300 ft | 16 mm | 6.6 ft | 24.9 oz | 4.2 mm | |
| Steiner Observer 8x56 | 8x56 | 336 ft | 16 mm | 41.3 oz | 7 mm | Check price on Amazon |
Steiner binoculars
Observer 8x42 questions
Observer 8x42: does it work with glasses?
Observer 8x42 has 17 mm of eye relief, which meets the 16 mm the RSPB advises for people who wear glasses.
Observer 8x42: what does 8x42 mean?
Observer 8x42 magnifies 8 times through 42 mm front lenses, which works out to an exit pupil of 5.3 mm, the width of the beam of light that reaches each eye.
Observer 8x42: how wide is the view?
Observer 8x42 shows a view 348 ft wide at 1,000 yd, below the 393 ft median of the 75 8x42 models in the chart.